Fermi surface and superconductivity in low-density high-mobility δ-doped SrTiO3

The electronic structure of low-density n-type SrTiO3 δ-doped heterostructures is investigated by angular dependent Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations. In addition to a controllable crossover from a three- to two-dimensional Fermi surface, clear beating patterns for decreasing dopant layer thicknesses are found. These indicate the lifting of the degeneracy of the conduction band due to subband quantization in the two-dimensional limit. Analysis of the temperature-dependent oscillations shows that similar effective masses are found for all components, associated with the splitting of the light electron pocket. The dimensionality crossover in the superconducting state is found to be distinct from the normal state, resulting in a rich phase diagram as a function of dopant layer thickness.

Common origin of the circular-dichroism pattern in angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of SrTiO3 and Cu(x)Bi2Se3

Circular dichroism in the angular distribution of photoelectrons from SrTiO(3):Nb and Cu(x)Bi(2)Se(3) is investigated by 7-eV laser angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. In addition to the well-known node that occurs in the circular dichroism pattern when the incidence plane matches the mirror plane of the crystal, we show that another type of node occurs when the mirror plane of the crystal is vertical to the incidence plane and the electronic state is two-dimensional. The flower-shaped circular dichroism patterns in the angular distribution occurring around the Fermi level of SrTiO(3):Nb and around the Dirac point of Cu(x)Bi(2)Se(3) are explained on equal footings. We point out that the penetration depth of the topological states of Cu(x)Bi(2)Se(3) depends on momentum.

Microsurgical skill assessment: toward skill-based surgical robotic control

A surgical skill assessment system was developed to quantify microsurgical skills. Infrared optical makers, an inertial measurement unit, and strain gauges were mounted on tweezers to record surgical tasks. In preliminary experiments, the tool tip trajectory, acceleration, and applied force were measured and microsurgery videos were evaluated by three expert surgeons. The preliminary results indicated the feasibility of the system by showing the significant difference between unskilled and skilled surgeons.

Histopathological manifestations of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and glomerular expression of plasmalemmal vesicle-associated protein-1 in a patient with polycythemia vera

Only a few cases of various glomerulonephropathies have been reported in patients with polycythemia vera. We report the case of a 72-year-old female with polycythemia vera in whom renal biopsy examination showed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN)-like lesion and glomerular expression of plasmalemmal vesicle-associated protein-1 (PV-1), a marker of glomerular capillary remodeling after injury. Prior to admission to our hospital for nephrotic syndrome, she had received hydroxyurea and phlebotomy. On admission, she was hypertensive with pretibial edema, hepatosplenomegaly, massive proteinuria (6.14 g/day), low serum albumin (2.9 g/dl), high fibrinogen, fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products and thrombomodulin levels, but with normal serum creatinine and complement levels. Microscopic examination of a renal biopsy demonstrated MPGN-like features with double contour and mesangial interposition. Electron microscopy showed subendothelial deposits, platelets attached to glomerular capillary walls and fibrin deposition. Immunofluorescence study identified IgM deposition along part of the capillary wall and mesangium. CD42b-positive platelets and megakaryocytes were detected in glomerular capillaries, accompanied with increased expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor b and thrombomodulin in the mesangium and glomerular capillary, respectively. PV-1 was expressed along the glomerular capillary. Anti-platelet and anticoagulant combination therapy, together with the use of anti-hypertensive agents and hydroxyurea, resulted in improvement of the nephrotic syndrome. The findings suggested that activated platelets, enhanced coagulation state and endothelial damage may contribute to glomerulonephropathy associated with polycythemia vera.

Dominant mobility modulation by the electric field effect at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface

Caviglia et al. [Nature (London) 456, 624 (2008)] have found that the superconducting LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface can be gate modulated. A central issue is to determine the principal effect of the applied electric field. Using magnetotransport studies of a gated structure, we find that the mobility variation is almost 5 times that of the sheet carrier density. Furthermore, superconductivity can be suppressed at both positive and negative gate bias. These results indicate that the relative disorder strength strongly increases across the superconductor-insulator transition.

Green tea catechin inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced bone resorption in vivo

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Bone resorption is positively regulated by receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL). Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1beta, promote RANKL expression by stromal cells and osteoblasts. Green tea catechin (GTC) has beneficial effects on human health and has been reported to inhibit osteoclast formation in an in vitro co-culture system. However, there has been no investigation of the effect of GTC on periodontal bone resorption in vivo. We therefore investigated whether GTC has an inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone resorption.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Escherichia coli (E. coli) LPS or LPS with GTC was injected a total of 10 times, once every 48 h, into the gingivae of BALB/c mice. Another group of mice, housed with free access to water containing GTC throughout the experimental period, were also injected with LPS in a similar manner.

RESULTS

The alveolar bone resorption and IL-1beta expression induced by LPS in gingival tissue were significantly decreased by injection or oral administration of GTC. Furthermore, when GTC was added to the medium, decreased responses to LPS were observed in CD14-expressing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) reporter cells, which express CD25 through LPS-induced nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation. These findings demonstrated that GTC inhibits nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB activated by LPS. In addition, osteoclasts were generated from mouse bone marrow macrophages cultured in a medium containing RANKL and macrophage colony-stimulating factor with or without GTC. The number of osteoclasts was decreased in dose-dependent manner when GTC was added to the culture medium.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that GTC suppresses LPS-induced bone resorption by inhibiting IL-1beta production or by directly inhibiting osteoclastogenesis.

Significance of collagenous and mucinous spherulosis in breast cytology specimens

OBJECTIVE

Spherulosis of the breast is a rare but distinct benign morphological entity. As there are few cytological reports of breast spherulosis, the significance of spherulosis among cytological specimens is unclear. The objective was to document cytological aspects of spherulosis.

METHODS

A total of 3491 consecutive breast fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) samples and 69 nipple discharge cytology samples were reviewed. Papanicolaou-stained slides with or without Romanowsky staining were analysed. The corresponding 1926 histological specimens were also reviewed.

RESULTS

We detected 17 cases of collagenous spherulosis (CS) and/or mucinous spherulosis (MS) among 3560 breast cytology specimens (0.48%). All samples were from women, who varied in age from 22 to 69 years. CS and/or MS were present in 15 of 3491 FNAC specimens (0.43%) and in two of 69 nipple discharge cytology specimens (2.9%). Corresponding histological specimens were available for 14 of the 17 specimens. Of the 14 specimens, 12 consisted of intraductal papilloma, one of fibroadenoma, and one of fibrocystic change. There was no spherulosis among the 1251 cytological specimens of malignant diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

Cytological evidence of spherulosis is a good indicator of intraductal papilloma.

Vanishing hall coefficient in the extreme quantum limit in photocarrier-doped SrTiO3

We explore the extreme quantum limit of photogenerated electrons in quantum paraelectric SrTiO3. This regime is distinct from conventional semiconductors, due to the large electron effective mass and large dielectric constant. At low temperature, the magnetoresistance and Hall resistivity saturate at a high magnetic field, deviating from conventional behavior. As a result, the Hall coefficient vanishes on the scale of the ratio of the Landau level splitting to the thermal energy, indicating the essential role of lowest Landau level occupancy, as limited by thermal broadening.

Apparent diffusion coefficient of pituitary macroadenoma evaluated with line-scan diffusion-weighted imaging

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to evaluate the consistency of pituitary macroadenoma using apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) with line-scan diffusion-weighted imaging (LSDWI).

METHODS

Patients with pituitary macroadenoma (n=19) were studied prospectively. The LSDWI was performed using a maximum b factor of 1000 s/mm2. The consistency of macroadenoma was rated as soft, intermediate or hard at transsphenoidal surgery. The ADC values of tumors were compared with the tumor-consistency ratings.

RESULTS

A soft consistency was found at surgery in 13 patients (mean ADC: 0.84+/-0.1x10(-3) mm2/s); an intermediate consistency was observed in six patients (mean ADC: 0.81+/-0.16x10(-3) mm2/s). No tumors of hard consistency were found. There was no significant difference in ADC values between tumors of soft consistency compared with tumors of intermediate consistency (P=0.37).

CONCLUSIONS

A relationship between tumor consistency and the ADCs of soft and intermediate macroadenomas was not shown in this study using LSDWI.

Is the adjustment of serum creatinine level < 0.6 mg/dl to 0.6 mg/dl justified in estimates of carboplatin clearance calculated by the Jelliffe formula?

5072

Background: The Jelliffe formula (JF) does not include body surface area (BSA) or body weight to adjust the body size. We demonstrated that estimates of carboplatin clearance calculated by the JF tend to have greater positive bias compared to other formulae. The JF has been used to estimate carboplatin clearance in Gynecologin Oncology Group studies. In patients with serum creatinine level <0.6 mg/dl, it is adjusted to 0.6 mg/dl in estimates of carboplatin clearance (Adjusted-Jelliffe formula (AJF)). The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether this adjustment is suitable. Methods: Carboplatin clearance was estimated in 115 patients with serum creatinine <0.6 mg/dl who received carboplatin-based chemotherapy for gynecologic malignancies between January 1996 and August 2004. Creatinine clearance was estimated using the Cockroft-Gault formula (CGF), JF, and AJF. The median percent error (MPE) and the median absolute percent error (MAPE) were evaluated by comparing carboplatin clearance. The relationships between BSA and ratios of estimated carboplatin clearance (JF/CGF, AJF/CGF) were evaluated by using simple regression. Results: The estimated carboplatin clearances were: CGF, 126.7 ± 27.7; JF, 148.2 ± 20.5; AJF, 130.5 ± 14.3. Comparing the results of the CGF with the JF, AJF yielded MPEs of +20%, +6%, and MAPEs of 21%, 14%, respectively. There were the linear correlations between ratio of estimated carboplatin clearances and BSA (Y1 = −1.141X + 2.830, Y2 = -1.061 X + 2.581, Y1: ratio of carboplatin clearance (JF/CGF), Y2: ratio of carboplatin clearance (AJF/CGF), X: BSA). Conclusions: As expected, carboplatin clearance was decreased by adjusting serum creatinine to 0.6 mg/ml, but it did not adjust the bias by BSA. Estimates of carboplatin clearance calculated by the AJF tend to have greater negative bias, particularly when the BSA of the patient is large.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

B cells play an important role in lipopolysaccharide-induced bone resorption

The host immune system, especially activated T cells, plays a crucial role in inflammatory bone resorption and osteoclastogenesis. Previously, we showed that T cells are involved in inflammatory bone resorption in vivo. However, little is known about whether B cells are involved in inflammatory bone resorption and how B cells take part in osteoclastogenesis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether B c ells truly influence inflammatory bone resorption in vivo. Alveolar bone resorption in normal mice, in SCID mice that lack both B and T cells, and in B cell-reconstituted SCID mice was compared histopathologically after repeated injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the gingiva. Furthermore, we examined whether the B cells that are stimulated by LPS are involved in osteoclastogenesis in vitro. As a result, the B cell-reconstituted SCID mice showed stronger inflammatory bone resorption than the SCID mice. Also, in vitro, LPS-stimulated B cells enhanced osteoclastogenesis and anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha antibody completely blocked osteoclastogenesis induced by LPS-stimulated B cells. These results suggest that B cells promote inflammatory bone resorption through TNF-alpha.

[A case of pulmonary edema after electroconvulsive therapy under propofol anesthesia]

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was scheduled for a 61-yr-old woman with major depression who had been taking a beta-blocker for hypertension. She underwent the first ECT under thiamylal anesthesia uneventfully. The second ECT was performed under propofol anesthesia on the next day. Immediately after ECT, the heart rate dropped from 56 to 19 beats.min-1, which was remedied by intravenous atropine. Then, the blood pressure increased to 204/108 mmHg but it was controlled by nicardipine. However, the SpO2 decreased to 84-88% under oxygen administration by mask at a rate of 3 l.min-1. The patient complained of chest discomfort and had a bloody secretion from the trachea. A chest X-ray showed a butterfly shadow. The patient was diagnosed as having neurogenic pulmonary edema and was treated in the ICU by artificial ventilation and administration of diuretics and catecholamines. These treatments proved to be successful, and the patient was discharged from the ICU 4 days later uneventfully. This case indicates that hemodynamics should be carefully monitored following ECT and that care should be taken to prevent the occurrence of complications after ECT.

Recovery of Infectious Human Parainfluenza Type 2 Virus from cDNA Clones and Properties of the Defective Virus without V-Specific Cysteine-Rich Domain

A full-length cDNA clone was constructed from the genome of the human parainfluenza type 2 virus (hPIV2). First, Vero cells were infected with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing T7 RNA polymerase, and then the plasmid encoding the antigenome sequence was transfected into Vero cells together with polymerase unit plasmids, NP, P, and L, which were under control of the T7 polymerase promoter. Subsequently, the transfected cells were cocultured with fresh Vero cells. Rescue of recombinant hPIV2 (rPIV2) from cDNA clone was demonstrated by finding the introduced genetic tag. As an application of reverse genetics, we introduced one nucleotide change (UCU to ACU) to immediate downstream of the RNA-editing site of the V gene in the full-length hPIV2 cDNA and were able to obtain infectious viruses [rPIV2V(-)] from the cDNA. The rPIV2V(-) possessed a defective V protein that did not have the unique cysteine-rich domain in its carboxyl terminus (the V-protein-specific domain). The rPIV2V(-) showed no growth in CV-1 and FL cells. Replication of the rPIV2V(-) in these cells, however, was partially recovered by adding anti-interferon (IFN)-beta antibody into the culture medium, showing that the rPIV2V(-) is highly sensitive against IFN and that no growth of rPIV2V(-) in CV-1 and FL cells is mainly due to its hypersensitivity to endogenously produced IFN. These findings indicate that the V-protein-specific domain of hPIV2 is related to IFN resistance. On the other hand, the rPIV2V(-) efficiently replicated in Vero cells, which are known as a IFN-non-producers. However, the virus yields of rPIV2V(-) in Vero cells were 10- to100-fold lower than those of control rPIV2, although syntheses of the viral-specific proteins and their mRNAs in rPIV2V(-)-infected Vero cells were augmented up to 48 p.i. in comparison with those of rPIV2. Furthermore, the rPIV2V(-) virions showed anomalous in size as compared with rPIV2 virions. These results suggest that the V protein plays an important role in the hPIV2 assembly, maturation, and morphogenesis.

Incomplete replication of human parainfluenza virus type 4 in LLC-MK2 cells and in L929 cells

Human parainfluenza virus type 4A (hPIV-4A) and type 4B (hPIV-4B) were tested for their ability to replicate in the monkey kidney LLC-MK2 cell line (MK2 cells) and the murine L929 cell line (L929 cells). These cells are normally non-permissive for replication of hPIV-4; however, treatment with acetylated trypsin led to virus replication in MK2 cells, but was less effective for L929 cells. Endogenously produced interferon (IFN) played no role in virus replication in L929 cells. Synthesis of virus-specific polypeptides was suppressed in L929 cells. Whereas NP-mRNA and HN-mRNA were detected in MK2 cells, no HN-mRNA was detected in L929 cells. These results indicate that hPIV-4 can infect both MK2 cells and L929 cells. In MK2 cells, when protease exists in the extracellular medium, hPIV-4 exhibits multistep growth. In L929 cells, however, the cause of incomplete replication might be lack of other unknown factors.

Osmium-metal coating device using hollow-cathode plasma CVD method

A novel osmium-metal coating device for SEM observation has been developed to prevent negative charge build-up on specimens by applying the hollow-cathode low voltage discharge plasma chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method. The CVD method using the hollow-cathode offers the following advantages. (i) The method can deposit osmium-metal at very low discharge voltage that is as low as half of that of the planar parallel electrode method. Therefore, the method avoids damage due to ion bombardment during the coating process. (ii) The method can minimize the quantity of the OsO4 gas by introducing directly into the hollow-cathode. This feature is important to prevent the air pollution caused by the purged gas. (iii) A large coating area is guaranteed because the Os ion is filled in the hollow-cathode where the specimen is holed. (iv) The lower discharge voltage can be used by mixing Ar, N2 or air with the OsO4 gas as the environmental gas in the chamber. (v) The hybrid coating is also available by lining the appropriate metal material such as platinum (Pt) on the surface of the inside of the hollow-cathode. The method uses the plasma CVD of Os metal as well as the ion-sputter deposition of the lined metal.

Isolation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies directed against murine FRP-1/CD98/4F2 heavy chain: murine FRP-1 is an alloantigen and amino acid change at 129 (P<-->R) is related to the alloantigenicity

Nineteen mAb directed against murine fusion regulatory protein-1 (mFRP-1)/4F2/CD98 were isolated and their biological properties were analysed. Intriguingly, mFRP-1 was found to be an alloantigen, namely, FRP-1.1 (DBA/2 and CBA mice type) and FRP-1.2 (BALB/c, C57BL/6 and C3H/He mice type). The nucleotide sequences of FRP-1.1 and FRP-1.2 were determined, demonstrating that amino acid change at 129 (P<-->R) is related to the alloantigenicity. mFRP-1 is expressed on thymocytes, on spleen cells, on peripheral lymphocytes and on blood monocytes, suggesting that the physiological role in vivo of murine FRP-1 is different from that of human FRP-1. The biological activities of antimFRP-1 mAbs showed by the present study are: (i) enhancement of Newcastle disease virus-induced cell fusion; (ii) suppression of HIVgp160-mediated cell fusion; and (iii) induction of aggregation and multinucleated giant cells of monocytes/macrophages.

[Reoperation for mitral regurgitation 13 years after aortic valve replacement and manouguian's anulus enlargement: report of a case]

The patient was 22-year-old female. She had undergone aortic valve replacement and Manouguian's anulus enlargement with low porosity woven Dacron patch for congenital aortic stenosis 13 years ago, and developed mitral regurgitation 9 years after that operation. Two regurgitant flow were observed. One was originated from the orifice due to mitral prolapse. The other was from a tear in the anterior leaflet. It was around the tip of the prosthetic patch, approximately 7 mm in size, and was repaired easily. But the mitral valve itself was found to be malformed and prolapsed, requiring mitral valve replacement. Her postoperative course was uneventful.

[Successful surgical treatment for type B aortic dissection with Marfan's syndrome after aortic root and mitral valve replacement: report of a case]

A 30-year-old female with Marfan's syndrome underwent aortic root replacement for annuloaortic ectasia and mitral valve replacement for mitral regurgitation. She remained well until 16 months postoperatively when she had sudden onset of pain. Preoperative angiogram showed Stanford B aortic dissection. Thoracoabdominal aortic replacement was performed successfully under deep hypothermic bypass.

Effect of ibudilast on ciliary activity of human paranasal sinus mucosa in vitro

The effect of ibudilast (CAS 50847-11-5, 3-isobutyryl-2-isopropylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine, KC-404), an anti-asthmatic drug, on ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of human paranasal sinus mucosa was examined in vitro. Ciliary activation was observed after a 10-min exposure to 4.6 x 10(-6) mol/l ibudilast. Ibudilast dose-dependently increase CBF at the concentrations ranging from 4.6 x 10(-7) mol/l to 4.6 x 10(-5) mol/l. Propranolol inhibited ciliary activity induced by ibudilast; however, neither indometacin nor verapamil affected the activation of ibudilast on CBF. Platelet activating factor (PAF) and Leukotriene D4 (LTD4) are chemical mediators inducing mucosal dysfunction and damage. Ibudilast prevented ciliary inhibition induced by PAF and LTD4. These findings indicated that ibudilast activates CBF and inhibits the effect of PAF and LTD4 on ciliated cells, and consequently improves the pathogenesis of allergic disorders such as the inhibited mucociliary transport system and airway hyperresponsiveness.

[Pollen of gramineae and its botanical, taxonomical, and ecological aspects]

This is a review of tropical pollens (Gramineae) which cause allergy, addressed to medical workers and with emphasis in the Costa Rican. The graminean family Poaceae is widely distributed and has great genetic plasticity. An evolutionary tendency to floral reduction has led to anemophily, with pollens ranging from large (e.g. corn, Zea mays) to very small (e.g. tribes Poae and Avenae). This family produces a large number of pollens per panicle. The early morning production of free pollen (before 8 am) enhances allergic problems. In contrast, in rice (Oryza sativa) most pollen is liberated near mid day, which favours long range dispersal because of more appropriate environmental temperature and humidity. This can explain why rice is the first cause of allergic sensitivization in the asthmatic patients of the Costa Rican driest provinces (Guanacaste and Puntarenas). Despite the small size of several temperate and tropical species are present, because of geographic position, climatic diversity, irregular topography, etc. This paper presents a general description of the subfamilies Pooideae, Panicoideae, Chlorideae (Eragrostoideae) and Oryzoideae (including the medically most important tribes). Their pollens are illustrated with light and electron microscopy.